Editor's WelcomeI’m presently exploring the power of the Healing Paradigm in the Sweet Medicine Sundance Tradition. It’s been a great reminder to me about living life in balance – emotional, physical, mental, spiritual and sexual and how something left out of balance eventually has its impact. I’m reminded that in each moment I have a choice – even if all I have control over in that minute is my attitude and approach, that every experience mirrors something back to me if I choose to listen. The potential to restore and release patterns that created imbalance is always present.Red Lodge 2016 has begun and if you have been “tossing up the idea to join this shamanic study course then you must act before April 28th! A powerful and committed group of students have so far answered the call of their spirit to learn, to shine light into shadows, dance in the light and to experience ceremony and community. Cara, current second year student writes an article in this issue of her Red Lodge experience. The Qs have been and gone and I hear many stories of the fun and power of the program that was run this year. Quodoushka dates for 2017 can be found later in this issue. Shamanic De-Armouring is enrolling now for the August program and there are a number of community events and purification lodges on offer in the first half of 2016.

“We come into relationships to mirror and reflect for one another. We are tools for each others growth and the more we can truly know this, the faster the movement. There is no need for judgment of a particular relationship as right or wrong. Each relationship is merely the mirroring we need at a particular time for our highest good.”—Swiftdeer.May you dance your dreams awake in 2016 Bronwyn “Rainbow Deer”

HEALING: A SWEET MEDICINE SUNDANCE PATH PERSPECTIVE

What Is Healing?In this paradigm, the healed, or healthy, person is not just someone whose body is free from disease. True health encompasses our emotions, mind, spirit, and sexuality as well as our body. When we speak of healing, we mean coming into balance in all our aspects as well as with the natural world, into alignment with Sacred Law, and into alignment with one's true self.The Sweet Medicine Sundance Path healing paradigm is a shamanic way of approaching healing. However, it is not a "traditional" way: it incorporates knowledge from several shamanic paths as well as western science. It is a multifaceted approach to healing that addresses all aspects of us as humans: emotional, mental, spiritual, and sexual/soul force as well as the physical.

The basic premises in this healing paradigm are:•We look to get at cause, at the spiritual level.•each of us heals himself or herself - no one else can do it for us. We must be willing to take responsibility for our own healing (and our own lives!).•We heal through proper balance and alignment - Our healing ceremonies help to create a bridge between spirit and matter, which allows transformation or change, and healing, through regaining balance and alignment with Sacred Law and the energies of the universe.•The person who has requested a healing ceremony is not the only one to heal - All who participate have the opportunity to heal themselves in some way.•Disease is a teacher that we call in to learn some particular thing - Understanding this, and where we are in our pattern of learning, is critical to our healing.•The people sitting on the healing circle hold the image of the full potential of the Apprentice, but without attachment to the outcome (it is not their job to heal the Apprentice, only to make the space available for him to heal himself).•Healing can take other forms than the return of the physical body to health.Through deep communication with the body and with Spirit, illness becomes a confrontation that guides and inspires the creation of a more balanced and conscious reality.

NEWS FROM OZ RED LODGE

RED LODGE - Reflections From a Student by Cara "Honey Warrior"

Did you know that you are your own experiment? No, seriously, you are. When I was 19 I began experimenting with meditation for depression and insomnia. A lot of things start to happen when you decide to explore the lesser known portions of yourself. And it is interesting. If ever you were waiting for an invitation to experiment, explore or affect yourself and your life on your own terms, then welcome to “Red Lodge”- “Path of the Sacred Warrior”.

I’ve tried a lot of things on my path to self-knowledge and understanding and very few of those practices have allowed me to go so deeply while still maintaining the clarity necessary to not be overwhelmed or fall into pretense about the experience.

Living in the Northern Rivers you see a lot of really interesting programs and workshops on offer, promising to deliver all sorts of weird and wonderful things. Sometimes these things are great and sometimes they’re not. Which is why I’m usually pretty skeptical about a lot of things until I’ve actually tried and tested it.

The thing about the Red Lodge program is that you actually have to DO THINGS for self-growth. It’s not just something you turn up at and then viola! You are all enlightened and good to go. No way. If you don’t hit your edge and start to squirm at some stage throughout the journey, you’re definitely not hitting pay dirt.

Every weekend session leads to some kind of illumination, it’s not always pretty but it peels back the layers like nothing else. There is a practicality inherent in every teaching of this so called long house program that makes it real, obscure ideas become tangible and accessible.

Growing up I often thought that there was a real lack in knowledge about how to deal with a lot of basic human stuff. Did I miss the handbook or what? How were all these people functioning in this crazy world, being slaves to our patterns, habits and dysfunctional emotions?

Although there is a plethora of education, social services, and self help gurus we are still a struggling society. All the opportunities in the world and still we seem to be unhappy, unfulfilled or looking for something. A lot of us know we want to change but have no idea how to actualize it. It’s like being a mechanic and having nothing but a hammer. For me, these teachings are like being given tools to try and use in my daily life. And I do. There is a level of control in my thoughts and a determination in my actions that I know comes from what I have learnt up until now.

Every person’s journey on this path is unique. In fact, the encouragement and support that is offered to allow people to truly be their natural selves, to act as self directed, autonomous individuals is as refreshing as it is humbling. The totality of what has been added to my life I cannot actually express. I feel more aware of everything I do, from my thoughts and emotions to how I move physically in the world. It’s also pretty satisfying to see all the positive changes in myself ripple out into all of my interactions and relationships, creating more honesty and integrity. I could go on about my own experiences but… as the elders tell us, believe nothing I say until you’ve tried it for yourself.

RED LODGE ENROLMENTS FOR 2016 FINISH 28 APRIL.. contact us now if you are planning on joining us in 2016

SECOND YEAR – 2016Session 1: March 4–6Session 2: April 22 –24Session 3: August 5–7Ceremonial Week and Eagle Dance: August 26th to September 2ndSession 4: October 14–16Session 5: December 2–4

THIRD YEAR – 2016Session 1: March 4–6Session 2: April 22–24Session 3: July 22–24Ceremonial Week and Eagle Dance: August 26th to September 2ndSession 4: October 14–16Session 5: December 2–4

FOURTH YEAR – 2016Session 1: March 10–13Session 2: April 29–May 1(no Lineage Address this weekend)Session 3: July 28–31Ceremonial Week and Eagle Dance: August 26th to September 2ndSession 4: October 20–23Session 5: December 8–11

PROGRAM PAYMENT Paying in Full - $3300Payment Plan – Paid in full by 30.11.16 - $600, with total price of $3500

Welcome to Deb Laughlin ...

The Australian Red Lodge community welcomes Debra Laughlin to our shores as she teaches Red Lodge session two and holds a community event for those interested in getting a new sweet medicine reflection.. Deb has over 25 years in the medicine, teaches Red Lodge in the States and specialises in the Addictive Personality Paradigm. She is also a fitness trainer, runs a small farm on her property and loves to cook!

ALL ARE INVITED TO OUR UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENT 21 April Mullumbimby

SHAMANIC DE-ARMORING - AUGUST 2016

Shamanic De-Armoring is an intense healing process that utilizes pleasure to transform the cellular imprinting of past pain tapes held within your body. It frees your life force energy and inspires greater health, hope and happiness. This modernized shamanic technique and ceremony restore your full presence and connection to your natural self.

What is ArmorAs you journey from childhood through adulthood, painful experiences and traumas imprint not only on your psyches but also in the cells of your physical body. This cellular imprinting of pain causes trace minerals in the body to coalesce into metallic bands of "armor”. This "armoring” restricts and blocks the free flow of energy in your body, keeping you in patterned behaviors that produce dysfunction, illness and premature aging. You walk around inside a body that is bound by pain tapes of the past. Your true nature's spirit, or soul essence, is trapped inside a prison!

We armor ourselves as a survival mechanism – it stops the pain. In so doing, we become numb and separated from our natural connection to ourself. We have moved far away from our original intent within the Grand Design.Your body was meant to be a temple for your spirit, not a prison for your soul!

Benefits of De-armoringShamanic De-armoring has innumerable benefits and each person experiences these in slightly different ways.

Participants who have completed the de-armoring process have reported the following: Increased sensitivity in the physical body, opening the way towards deeper intimacy.

Strong vibration, pressure points, breath and movement of your sexual energy through your whole body are used to break up and remove your body's armor, pain and numbness. This experience unlocks the deep-seated truth.... your life force energy has the ability to transform and heal.Go to www.shamanicdearmoring.com to find out more about the process.

"I have been privileged to work in a beautiful respectful process which has given me a direct experience of transforming. If anyone is at all serious about learning about themselves and growing they need to invest in this process. It is amazing!"Liz - Managing Director, Business Consultant, England

"I cannot recommend this ceremony enough! I am in touch with a deeper self-love, my energy has increased and my purpose has been fortified beyond measure."Kevin - Psychotherapist, USA

"If you want to redefine your concept of boundaries and blast your old ones away, just do it!"David - Senior Company Executive, Australia

"De-armoring is a life altering experience. I have never felt so free –free from old pain tapes and free to be my own authentic self and create as much happiness as I desire."Anita - Attorney, USA

"After menopause, my life seemed as if it was shutting down. De-armoring opened up my life to new possibilities."Sherry - Dietitian, USA

"There is nothing I know of that works at such a deep level revealing and releasing bodily memory, frozen feelings and life force energy."Arama@comcast.netti - University Lecturer, Australia

"I came to de-armoring with toxic levels of several metals, including aluminum. Six weeks afterwards I was re-tested and, much to my surprise, aluminum was down to 0!"JB, USA

"I have done lots of healing therapies in the last 11 years. I have never experienced such profound transformation in my life. Each day I see life and experience life with new eyes. No wounding. I am deeply thankful for their integrity and for how they hold such a powerful safe space." Glennys - NLP Practitioner & Massage Therapist, Australia

DANCING FIRE DREAMING FUND - Mal Ryan

As Bob Killip danced to the Eagle Dance tree in 2014 he asked Great Spirit “what can I do to best serve this community?” The answer came loud and clear … “a trust fund Bob, a trust fund! Somewhere that the community can tithe, contribute, donate funds accumulating into an abundant central pool that can be used by the community for specific purposes that support and grow the community in beauty. From the one to the many and from the many back to the one”.(Bob) “hmmm … sounds like a good idea”(GS) “well … you asked … what did you expect? Tea towels?”

And so the Dancing Fire Dreaming Fund was birthed. Named in honour of our beloved Dianne Ryan (Dancing Fire Dreamer) who passed in July 2014. Dianne was a true determiner; a dreamer and a player, never a spectator. Among other things she was THE driving force behind bringing Red Lodge to Australia. Her dynamic presence and her actions have inspired the intent of the trust fund –

Use the gathered funds on projects that benefit the widest community

Advance the Australian Sweet Medicine community

The Dancing Fire Dreaming Fund was announced at Eagle Dance 2015 and so contributions have started to accumulate from

Survival Program

BOL Readings (Kristin)

Drum Team

Personal tithes from Bob Killip, Brad Heydon, Mal Ryan

Significant start up contribution from Jenny Cornish

We wish to express sincere gratitude to all the contributors and all those who have been involved in the contributing programs.

Some of the current funds are being used for infrastructure on the Sweat Lodge at Earth Heart Lodge as this supports the community and is a great MATS for those interested in The Medicine.

We wish to encourage all the community to consider contributions in whatever size is appropriate to you. If you are hosting a medicine event, consider “passing the plate” for gold coin donations; many small amounts add up. If you are looking for a place to tithe, your abundant intents are welcome here. This is a community initiative and will flourish with community support.

Account details – Westpac BSB - 032 573 Ac - 33 0329

The fund currently has the following trustees; Jenny Cornish, Bob Killip, Mal Ryan. Our gratitude goes to Brad Heydon who supported with the initial setup of the fund. If you have questions or ideas please contact Mal Ryan on 0408 454 481 or email dancingfiredreaming@gmail.com.

SWEET MEDICINE AUSTRALIA: Upcoming Events

Events with Mukee Okan

FEMININE BEAUTY: An Educational Documentary by Mukee OkanFeminine Beauty aka The Pussy Talks is the Production of Peace on Earth. Real education. Real women share their eloquent insights into the essence of being a woman. An educational documentary and presentation that will change your world forever.

Community Study Groups - Mullumbimby

Study groups ( of the Sweet Medicine Sundance tradition) are available for anyone in or outside the Medicine, or; in or outside the Red Lodge program. Classes are held at Earth Heart Lodge, Mullumbimby every third Tuesday. (dependent) At these study groups we have been exploring one of the wheels in this tradition called the “Star Maidens Circle”. We will be going thru this wheel very slowly over a number of study group sessions, so everyone can stay engaged. This is an excellent wheel in gaining further understanding of how and why we often respond to and engage the world around us in the way we do. There is no need for you to have any prior knowledge of this wheel. If you attend there is no need to commit to coming to every session thou of course there are advantages in continuity.

Creating The Dream Mandala 13 June Mullumbimby

The Dream Mandala is a very powerful and effective Native American visioning and manifestation technique. It will enable you to bring into your life, in a very concrete, precise manner all that you need and dream of, in material, emotional and spiritual terms.

The Mandala works in every aspect of life – work, education, relationships, self-growth and development, finances etc – spanning a three month, six month, one year and five year cycle.

Creating a Dream Mandala brings clarity and gives a sense of direction and purpose, a sense of being in control of your own life and of being able to manifest exactly what you need and desire to create the life you choose.

The Dream Mandala is taught by Sonia Weston ‘Spins Magic’. Sonia has studied Native American Shamanism with Canada’s Institute for Contemporary Shamanic Studies and The Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society in the US and Australia for over twenty years. Sonia brings a wealth of knowledge and ceremony to those who resonate with this spiritual path.

Red Lodge Lineage Addresses 2016

RED LODGE LONGHOUSE LINEAGE PROGRAMS - COMMUNITY EVENTSThe Lineage Address is a talk given at the opening to the Red Lodge sessions. They are community events. Everyone is invited to attend and hear from one of the most senior teachers on the Path of the Sweet Medicine SunDance Tradition. Subject matter is drawn from the teachings of the Deer Tribe Metis Medicine tradition. Evenings begin at 6:45 pm and generally conclude around 9:30pm. We ask people to arrive between 6 and 6:30pm Lineage addresses are currently held in Mullumbimby. Cost: $15 pd at the door. (Red Lodge students free)